2011 Folk Treasures In Romania-Part 1: Gheorghe Zamfir
The traditional music of European peoples may at first strike us by its diversity: a diversity of forms, styles, idioms, means of expression, functions and ages. From prehistoric times to the present day each successive stage in a long and complex past has left its traces in music as it has in signs of material culture. Underlying all these developments lies an archaic musical language common to all the ethnic groups of Europe. This ancient musical heritage, which dates back 
to prehistoric times, has left its traces in the most remote peasant communities of the present day and allows us to get some inkling of the music of the nomadic shepherds and farmers who people Europe. (1)
In Romania, folk is the oldest form of musical creation, characterised by great vitality; it is the defining source of the cultured musical creation, both religious and lay. Conservation of Romanian folk music has been aided by a large and enduring audience, and by numerous performers who helped propagate and further develop the folk sound. One of them, Gheorghe Zamfir, is famous throughout the world today, and helped popularize a traditional Romanian folk instrument, the panpipes. (2)
Gheorghe Zamfir is almost universally recognized as the “Master of the Pan Flute”, single-handedly responsible for popularizing an ancient, traditional Eastern European instrument that was in danger of dying out for lack of interest. At first focusing on Romanian folk melodies, classical material, and original compositions, artist’s popularity in Europe and America led him to cover pop songs, soundtrack themes, and the like, all supported by soft, lush orchestral arrangements. Classical adaptations came to dominate his repertoire, which separated him technique-wise from the raft of mostly European imitators that had sprung up during the late ’70′s and so there were released Solitude (1973), The Romance of the Panflute (1982), and The Lonely Shepherd (1984). (3)
Many of us could think of a folklore loss when it comes about preserving traditional music over the time. We (VIBE69 MUSIC) believe reworks & remixes help young generations to better understand how music should be kept at the expense of art. For the first part of the “Folk Treasures In Romania” we proudly give you a remix of Zamfir’s “Lonely Shepherd”:
Gheorghe Zamfir – The Lonely Shepherd (Unknown Artist Remix)
Source: Romanian Folk Music (1), Wikipedia (2), Gheorghe Zamfir Youtube (3).
Image source: Head Image: JurnaldeZiarist.Blogspot.com; Photo of Gheorghe Zamfir: Chisinau.ch.
To be continued…
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